of Orion Tower had

ed marble. Laughter that never reached the eyes. Eve

a 7 a.m. email from Damian titled "URGENT: Reschedule Tokyo Call. Fly docum

l with the company's legal adviser

the floor. Fast. Confident.

a tu

ed like she'd just stepped o

pulled her bone-straight weave back with military precision. Her re

man said. "You mus

gi

vely defensive. "Amara. Pers

mock surprise. "Oh, that p

ushed open the door to Damian's

a bl

t,

't t

own desk and tapped a mes

into your office unanno

er, her scr

hat's

on. No warni

ater, the doo

stick somehow still perfect. She paused in front of

"Welcome gift. I always make

ed it afte

written. Slanted cu

too comfortab

me with expi

, Za

d at the no

one of the junior execs during

r. Damian's longtime PA-slash-everything. We all thou

was

Word is-he bypassed her. Appo

omach

to him?" Amara asked,

to work, the rumor mill would shut dow

wallowe

was still working through the logistics of an investor

me

nside, clutch

uch, sleeves rolled up,

aid without

ob

en: "Zara d

s,

was p

If that's what you

itched. Was

e her with you,"

linked.

predecessor. Her

he tho

cut in. "What matters is that you

"That's hard when she's practi

nd dangerous if crosse

r eyes slowly.

d slightly at th

e. I'm underqualified. And now I'm being threatened b

ir st

he window, and placed

said, vo

I once knew. But you don't ac

art sk

h

d around. "Dismissed. Go home. Rest

d slowly,

he door, he adde

ooked

nds you a note...

wrote down a new l

vive T

nore

your pa

y invi

all for Da

usly. Do

, she could still feel the

echo of

ke someone I